Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George has set June 18, 2021, for a decision in the ongoing police promotions case.
Initially, the CJ had set today for ruling, however, when the case was called this morning, several lawyers challenging the promotion, noted that they filed further submissions.
As a result, Chief Justice George noted that Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall will need more time to reply and as such, adjourned the matter to June 18, 2021.
Senior Superintendent of Police Calvin Brutus had moved to the High Court, blocking several ranks from being promoted as he complained that the PSC is acting irrational and unlawful. Several other senior Police officers have joined Brutus.
The PSC had approached ranks in a bid to resolve the issue. However, this proved futile.
In his Fixed Date Application (FDA), Brutus contends, among other things, that the practice of the Commission not to promote police officers with pending disciplinary complaints regardless of the nature or seriousness of such complaints perpetuates a permanent injustice against him and others who are scheduled for promotions.
He is seeking several declarations from the High Court, including a declaration that the PSC’s policy not to promote, or consider for promotion, ranks with pending disciplinary matters before it, is unlawful.
A declaration that he is entitled to be promoted to the office of Assistant Commissioner of Police; and an order of Certiorari quashing, nullifying, and/or canceling the PSC’s decision denying his appointment to the office of Assistant Commissioner of Police.
Besides, Brutus wants the Court to give several orders, including an order of Certiorari quashing, nullifying, and/or canceling the decision of the PSC to promote Edmond Cooper, Philip Azore, and Kurleigh Simon, Senior Superintendents of Police, to the office of Assistant Commissioner of Police; an order of Mandamus compelling the Commission to reconsider its decision not to promote him by law and in accordance with his legitimate expectation.
